"Our goal is to create a tool that will help teenagers make better decisions for themselves," said Julie Downs, associate research professor of social and decision sciences who studies how social influences affect decision making and how people can make better decisions by understanding these influences. "For the most part, adolescents don't want to get pregnant. They definitely don't want to contract a disease. By building on our research about what goes into their decisions, we have crafted a video that will help them avoid these negative outcomes."

In addition to updating the content, the grant has allowed Downs and her collaborators, including Pamela Murray, professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University School of Medicine, to make it compatible with current technology formats. The film was produced by Moment Media, and the cast and crew included students in CMU's School of Drama.

"This movie, without a doubt, will have a direct impact on any teenage girl who watches it and engages with it," said Janet Smith, the film's producer. "The whole production team was energized by working on a project with such positive goals and that uses truly innovative communication techniques built on a solid base of scientific knowledge."

The concept behind "Seventeen Days" is being tested compared to an existing video designed to help teens become safer drivers. A study will follow young women for a year and a half to determine if those who viewed "Seventeen Days" have lower rates of sexually transmitted diseases and fewer unplanned pregnancies, and whether those who view the safe driving video have fewer driving incidents. Once the evaluation of the films is complete, "Seventeen Days" will be available online for anyone to watch.